Church of the Brethren Links

Church of the Brethren: The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination whereby its central emphasis is not a creed, but a commitment to follow Christ in simple obedience, to be faithful disciples in the modern world. Tracing its history back to 1708, the COB believes in God as Creator and loving Sustainer, confess the Lordship of Christ, and seeks to be guided by the Holy Spirit in every aspect of life, thought, and mission.

Denominational Ministries

Ministry Office: The Church of the Brethren believes in the priesthood of all believers, meaning that we understand all members to be in ministry. However, we call out certain people for licensing or ordination to the set-apart ministry. We provide multiple tracks for education and training, and we also are serious about supporting and sustaining ministers once they’re established in leadership.

Annual Conference: Annual Conference exists to unite, strengthen and equip the Church of the Brethren to follow Jesus. This is the annual national denominational gathering.

Mission and Ministry: The Mission and Ministry Board is called by the Church of the Brethren to extend the church's witness around the world. It leads out in God's mission, serving as a bridge between the local and the global and creating opportunities for service and partnership.

Support ministies

Stewardship: We cannot choose whether or not to be stewards. We are stewards. What we can choose is what kind of steward we will be. We work to help members be faithful stewards.

Camping: The experience of God in the outdoors has long been an important aspect of the Church of the Brethren. Located throughout the United States, Brethren camps and other outdoor ministry facilities offer time for renewal and learning for children and adults in the nature and peace of God's creation.

Brethren Press: Nurturing Brethren identity. Educating and discipling church members. Promoting unity. Challenging Brethren to embrace a practical faith. These are the tasks of Brethren Press, tasks that are carried out through curriculum for all ages, hymnals, books, Bible study resources, Sunday bulletins, and other church supplies.

Spiritual Gifts: We are committed to being a passion-driven faith community, fully using the gifts of the Body to strengthen each other and all God's people.

Congregational Ethics: We as the Church of the Brethren strive to accompany communities of believers as they become aware of relationships within and around them. For it is our heritage as a Believers' Church tradition to live as authentically as possible, matching our words and deeds each day.

Worship Resources: Resources made available to congregations within the denomination. Find publications including newsletters, policy statements and other documents.

Outreach Ministries

Brethren Disaster Services: BDM responds to disasters around the world, engaging a network of volunteers to repair or rebuild damaged homes for disaster survivors who cannot receive on their own.

Brethren Volunteer Service: BVS is a full time volunteer program that places volunteers in a one or two year long assignment in the United States and some locations around the world. This ministry of the Church of the Brethren has been a major program in this Christian denomination since 1948.

Global Food Crisis Fund: The primary way that the Church of the Brethren assists hungry people in developing food security, the Global Food Crisis Fund has raised over $8,000,000 for community development projects in numerous countries around the globe.

Global Women's Project: GWP seeks to educate about wealth, power and oppression, encouraging one another to live more simply, being mindful of our luxuries, and join in empowerment with women around the world, sharing resources with women's initiatives.

Haiti Medical Project: Beginning in 2011 the Church of the Brethren has been sponsoring the Haiti Medical Project as a way to begin to meet the needs in some of the communities where new Haitian Brethren congregations partner through pre-screening and arrangements.